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A-League 2015-16 started off with an entertaining opener on Thursday night in western Sydney, featured a mixed bag in between, and finished off with a rather drab encounter across the Tasman.
There were glimmers of hope for almost every club, with the performances on the pitch suggesting that this will be one of the most competitive and tightest seasons in the league’s short history.
Three clubs produced ‘upsets’, with last season’s under-performers – Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets – all finishing Round 1 at the top of the table.
The other two fixtures, featuring clubs many have tipped for top four honours, finished in stalemates, though nevertheless provided fans with a taster of future fortunes.
The average gate for Round 1 was 12,916, with the 64,580 aggregate down about 25,000 from last season’s opening weekend. Definitely nothing to be too concerned about, especially with Melbourne Victory’s large support missing.
There has been negativity in the media about the lack of high-profile imports arriving this season, and that will no doubt hit some crowd averages. The lack of pulling power may even result in the average attendance falling from last season, with uncertainty surrounding a number of clubs also contributing.
However, if every club remains competitive this season – which seems likely based on the first week – we should see those figures rise. Competition across the league is more valuable in drawing widespread crowds than short-fix marquee names at the cash-rich clubs.
If the overall standard improves it will vindicate the lack of big-name signings. That will come down to many of the new faces arriving in the A-League this season, and there was a lot to get excited about from the first week.
The imports
Brisbane’s Corona was the standout, looking a class above in John Aloisi’s successful return to the A-League. The 34-year-old was cool on the ball, measured with his passing and impressed with his vision. His set pieces were also quality, and led to two goals.
A 3-1 win for Brisbane over Western Sydney was slightly flattering, with the Wanderers guilty of wasting good chances stemming from periods of dominance. Their defence on set pieces also deserved a belting. The Roar took their chances, and Corona was a crucial cog.
Wanderers debutant Federico Piovaccari was lambasted on social media, with some having the cheek to compare him to Dino Kresinger. Yet the Italian made a solid debut, despite a shocking miss when trying to execute a theatrical scissor kick.
Piovaccari showed enough quality to suggest Tony Popovic’s faith has been well placed. Strong on the ball, suited to the physical nature of the A-League, and technically proficient, there is more to come from the striker. His combination with teammate Dimas will be one to watch as they get accustomed to each other.
The other two standouts were Filip Holosko, who scored on debut in Sydney FC’s 1-1 draw with Melbourne City, and Milos Ninkovic. The latter in particular looked all class, and his role in the No.10 slot will prove vital for Graham Arnold.
Holosko showed that while he is not the striker to replace Mark Janko, he is the man to supply quality balls for main man Shane Smeltz. One pass in particular, from within his own half, almost put the Kiwi through on goal in the second half. The two imports already look comfortable.
For City, Thomas Sorensen produced an expected display – making some quality saves but also looking a bit rusty at times. The Dane will take time to regain form after a long stretch without football, but will win City valuable points this campaign.
Bruno Fornaroli also looked sharp for City, forging a quick understanding with youngsters Wade Dekker and Hernan Espindola. The movement of City’s front three was impressive.
While only watching highlights of the Central Coast Mariners’ 3-2 victory over Perth Glory makes it difficult to judge, Roy O’Donovan scored on debut, making a perfect start to life in Gosford. Englishman Mitch Austin was also reportedly a handful on the left wing.
The jury seems out on Perth’s imports so far – Diego Castro reportedly frustrating, Guyon Fernandez conceding a poor penalty, and Gyorgy Sandor scoring but not knowing much about it.
The Newcastle Jets secured a surprising 2-1 victory over Wellington, arguably in a smash-and-grab performance, and Leonardo showed glimpses of quality. Though both he and goalscorer Milos Trifunovic looked undercooked. The duo will improve as they increase their fitness. Meanwhile, Wellington’s Jeffrey Sarpong did not really get a chance to make a distinct impression.
Impressive debuts
Outside the foreign influx, there were a number of Australian youngsters either making their full debut in the A-League or their club debut.
First up was Melbourne Victory’s Thomas Deng, who came on in the 78th minute of a 0-0 draw with Adelaide United on Friday night. With Victory down to 10 men (thanks to a ridiculous Leigh Broxham red card), the 18-year-old centre-back was relied on to help see out the game.
An early slip did not make a promising start, yet when faced with a fleet-footed Marcelo Carrusca Deng not only thwarted the Argentine’s charge towards goal, but also prevented a corner with a late sliding tackle. Impressive for one so young, and coming up against one of the trickiest forwards in the league. Promising stuff for an already exceptional Victory defence.
At the other end of the field was John Hall, making his first start for Adelaide with Eugene Galekovic on Socceroos duty. He had some nervy moments – he does not look great with the ball at his feet – yet the 20-year-old made some decent saves, especially from Gui Finkler towards the end. A solid if unspectacular debut.
The aforementioned Dekker made a great start to his Melbourne City career, netting a well taken goal to give his side the lead over Sydney FC. Dekker first dispossessed a mediocre Jacques Faty before running onto Fornaroli’s pass, and with two defenders closing in the 21-year-old produced a cool finish at the near post.
Last was Brandon O’Neill, who was superb in central midfield for Sydney. Credit to Arnold for giving him an early debut, the 21-year-old looked completely comfortable. His through ball which led to Holosko’s equaliser was top notch. Perth will regret not giving him more game time, he would have been a perfect replacement for Rostyn Griffiths.
Golden Boot candidates
Jamie Maclaren immediately vindicated pre-season predictions that he would fire at Brisbane, claiming two goals in the Roar’s win over Western Sydney. The first was an expertly taken lob over Andrew Redmayne (who was poor), and the second the type of poacher’s goal that wins goalscoring competitions.
Fabio Ferreira also has two for Central Coast, though as a winger is would be a big surprise if he scored enough to win the golden boot. If only Tony Walmsley had entrusted new signing O’Donovan with penalty duties, he would be on three. That said, there is no better penalty taker than Ferreira in the A-League, both efforts were superb. Alan Shearer-esque, even.
The other two main contenders for the Golden Boot did not break their 2015-16 duck. Besart Berisha was bizarrely off-key against Adelaide, fluffing a number of decent chances. But it is Berisha, surely he can’t have two stinkers in a row?
Then there was Smeltz, who has been given the No.9 duties at Sydney FC. He was largely kept quiet against Adelaide, often drifting wide or deep to pick up possession. You can’t count him out though, not with Ninkovic and Holosko around to service his needs.
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